How Republicans could undermine voting rights if they win these key races on Tuesday

As voters across the country head to the polls, they'll once again weigh in on a number of races that could have significant implications for voting rights and fair elections. Topping the list of Tuesday's elections that could have a major impact on our democracy are four states with competitive contests up and down the ballot:

• Virginia: With every seat in the state legislature up, Republicans could gain total control over state government if they flip the Democratic-held state Senate.

• Pennsylvania: An important vacancy on the state Supreme Court seat will be filled, and several local races will determine which party administers elections heading into 2024 in this major swing state.

• Kentucky: The governor's race will likely determine whether thousands of citizens regain their voting rights or remain disenfranchised.

• Maine: Several ballot measures could reform elections, including a proposed ban on foreign spending on ballot measures.

Since the 2010 elections, Republican-led states across the country have enacted hundreds of policies to restrict voting rights and gerrymander electoral maps to entrench their power. At the same time, right-wing courts have green-lighted these same power grabs. Conversely, Democratic-led states have made great strides in expanding voting rights and reforming electoral institutions, while liberal-leaning state courts have protected voting access.

Ballot measures, meanwhile, have also been a key tool for protecting the right to vote, ending gerrymandering, and implementing a host of other reforms to address flaws with the status quo.

Join us at Daily Kos Elections for live coverage on Tuesday night when the first polls close at 6 PM ET. (For a complete rundown of all the contests we're tracking, check out Jeff Singer's hour-by-hour guide.)